By Dana Hess
For the S.D. Newspaper Association
PIERRE — The South Dakota High School Activities Association accomplished one of its goals by substantially raising the amount of money it will pay to schools that host state tournaments.
The action was taken by the SDHSAA Board of Directors at its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 12.
In the past, school districts have raised some concerns about the cost of hosting a state tournament, noting that the funding provided by SDHSAA can fall short of the expenses that a host school incurs. One of the board’s goals was to study the issue and raise the fees paid to schools.
Seeing the biggest jumps in funding were cross-country and track and field with the fees paid to host schools jumping by $15,000. Wrestling saw a $13,500 increase.
“Those are the most labor-intensive events that we host,” said SDHSAA Executive Director Dan Swartos.
Overall, the association increased its payments to host schools by $79,000 from $87,000 to $166,000. A recent vendor contract supplied $70,000 of the funding.
The SDHSAA-sanctioned activities, the previous fee and the new fee include:
- A boys’ golf, $300, $675.
- AA boys’ golf, $300, $675.
- Soccer, $1,500, $2,000.
- Cheer and Dance, $2,000, $4,750.
- Cross-country, $3,000, $18,000
- Volleyball, $10,000, $12,250.
- Oral interp, $200, $575.
- One act play, $200, $575.
- Gymnastics, $4,000, $7,750.
- Wrestling, $11,000, $24,500.
- B girls’ basketball, $5,500, $10,000.
- A girls’ basketball, $5,500, $10,000.
- AA girls’ basketball, $5,500, $10,000.
- B boys’ basketball, $8,000, $10,000.
- A boys’ basketball, $8,500, $10,000.
- AA boys’ basketball, $8,500, $10,000.
- All-state choir and orchestra, $1,500, $1,875.
- Debate, $200, $575.
- B boys’ and girls’ golf, $600, $1,350.
- A girls’ golf, $300, $675.
- AA girls’ golf, $300, $675.
- Track and field, $6,100, $21,100
- Girls’ tennis, $2,000, $4,000.
- Boys’ tennis, $2,000, $4,000.
“We’ve nearly doubled what we’re paying out,” Swartos said.
